Calking cartridge nozzles

ABSTRACT

Calking cartridge nozzles suitable for resealing a calking cartridge comprising an elongated, hollow nozzle body which terminates upwardly in a solid, narrow neck. A severable tip of hollow construction and of configuration to overfit and seal the nozzle body extends upwardly from the neck. By severing the nozzle body below the neck, the tip and attached neck can be employed for nozzle sealing purposes by rotating the tip through one hundred and eighty degrees and then pressing it downwardly upon the nozzle body. In a first modification, the nozzle body is provided with an outwardly projecting ring and the tip is provided with an inwardly projecting ring which cooperate in sealing engagement. In a second embodiment, the nozzle body is provided with an outwardly projecting ring and the tip is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting pins which secure to the ring. In a third embodiment, the nozzle body is provided with an inwardly projecting peripheral groove and the tip is formed with an inwardly projecting ring which seats within the groove for sealing purposes. In a fourth embodiment, the nozzle body is provided with an inwardly projecting peripheral groove and the tip is formed with a plurality of inwardly projecting pins.

Unite States Patent [191 Marg et al.

[ Oct. 15, 1974 CALKING CARTRIDGE NOZZLES 22 Filed: Aug. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 391,346

[52] 11.8. C1. 222/541 [51] Int. Cl B65! 41/46 [58] Field of Search 222/541, 327, 562

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,743,144 7/1973 Marg et al. 222/541 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmKarl L. Spivak [57] ABSTRACT Calking cartridge nozzles suitable for rescaling a calking cartridge comprising an elongated, hollow nozzle body which terminates upwardly in a solid, narrow neck. A severable tip of hollow construction and of configuration to overfit and seal the nozzle body extends upwardly from the neck. By severing the nozzle body below the neck, the tip and attached neck can be employed for nozzle sealing purposes by rotating the tip through one hundred and eighty degrees and then pressing it downwardly upon the nozzle body. In a first modification, the nozzle body is provided with an outwardly projecting ring and the tip is provided with an inwardly projecting ring which cooperate in sealing engagement. In a second embodiment, the nozzle body is provided with an outwardly projecting ring and the tip is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting pins which secure to the ring. In a third embodiment, the nozzle body is provided with an inwardly projecting peripheral groove and the tip is formed with an inwardly projecting'ring which seats within the groove for sealing purposes. In a fourth embodiment, the nozzle body is provided with an inwardly projecting peripheral groove and the tip is formed with a plurality of inwardly projecting pins.

9 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PMENIEMU 1 5mm SHEET 1 (IF 2 PAIENTEDBBT 1 51914 SHEET 20f 2 FIGIZ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of building construction supplies and more particularly, is directed to an improved calking cartridge nozzle which is provided with integral, reclosable construction.

It has generally been the practice to furnish sealing materials such as calking compounds, spackling compounds, cement patching compounds and similar maintenance and building construction material in cartridge form for use with readily available calking guns. Such prior art cartridges have usually been fabricated with cylindrical cardboard or plastic sidewalls having enclosing heads at the ends thereof. One head was adpated for depressing into the interior of the cartridge for expelling the cartridge contents through the nozzle by utilizing the forces supplied by the calking gun. The other hand of the presently available calking cartridges generally terminates in a hollow, elongated, generally cylindrical nozzle which is hollow in configuration and which is usually fabricated of athermoplastic material such as polyethylene plastic. The nozzle interior communicates with the interior of the cartridge and terminates forwardly in a sealed top. When it is desired to use the calking cartridge, the end tip is usually cut with a knife or other sharp implement at an angle to the iongitudinal axis of the cartridge to form an angular end to facilitate accurate placing of the cartridge contents. Cutting the tip from the cartridge nozzle exposes the hollow interior of the nozzle and thereby allows the cartridge contents to exit through the severed tip when the calking gun is functioned.

It has been found that the present method of fabricating calking cartridge nozzles is generally satisfactory when the entire contents of a cartridge is used at one time and is disposed of upon consumption of the cartridge contained material. However, in most instances, most jobs do not require the application of the entire calking cartridge contents at one time. Accordingly, once the cartridge nozzle tip has been cut for use and the work has been completed, the additional remaining material within the cartridge can ooze out from the nozzle when the calking cartridge is not in use. This creates a condition which could be quite annoying to the worker or to the homeowner who is using the calking cartridge. Additionally, it has been found that after the cartridge tip has been cut open, this opening allows air, moisture and dirt to enter the interior of the cartridge through the cup opening. If the cartridge is to be stored with the contents exposed through the cut tip for a considerable length of time, the action of the environmental conditions could effect the remaining material to thereby render it unsuitable for future use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of calking cartridges and more particularly is directed to a novel calking cartridge nozzle suitable to reclose a calking cartridge after use.

The calking cartridge nozzle of the present invention is directed to an axially aligned nozzle construction which includes a severable nozzle tip whereby the nozzle may be cut along a predetermined area to thereby conventionally expose the contents of a calking cartridge for calking application purposes. The severed tip is configured in a manner to be reusable with the cartridge attached portion of the nozzle for resealing purposes.

In a first embodiment, the severable tip is fabricated with a solid neck at the severable area and with a flared open bottom of size and shape to overfit the severed nozzle in a press fit to close the nozzle when it is desired to reseal the calking cartridge.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the severable tip is provided with an inwardly projecting, annular flange. The annular flange cooperates with an outwardly projecting annular ring which is molded in the nozzle body. After the tip is severed from the nozzle, the nozzle may be rescaled by rotating the tip through one hundred and eighty degrees and then applying the tip of the nozzle until the inwardly projecting flange seats over the outwardly projecting ring of the nozzle to thereby lock the severed tip to the nozzle body.

In another embodiment of the invention, the severable tip is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting fingers and the nozzle body is provided with an outwardly projecting annular ring. When it is desired to reseal the calking cartridge, the nozzle tip is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees and applied over the nozzle body until the inwardly projecting fingers pass over and seat below the annularly projecting annular ring of the nozzle body.

In another embodiment of the invention wherein the nozzle body is equipped with an outwardly projecting ring, the severable tip is provided with an annular groove which, when the tip is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees, seats upon and seals with the annular, outwardly projecting ring.

In another embodiment, the nozzle body is formed with an annular groove and the severable tip includes inwardly projecting means of size to engage within the groove to thereby secure the severed tip to the nozzle body.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved, calking cartridge nozzle of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, reclosable, calking cartridge nozzle having a closure molded integrally with the calking cartridge nozzle at the forward end thereof which can be used for cartridge resealing purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel calking cartridge which includes an integral, resealable nozzle tip in axial alignment with the calking cartridge.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, reclosable calking cartridge nozzle incorporating an axially aligned tip which is severable from the nozzle and which may be employed to reseal the nozzle by rotating the severable tip through one hundred and eighty degrees and applying the tip to the nozzle body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, reclosable calking cartridge nozzle which can be fabricated of readily available material using existing nozzle fabricating equipment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, calking cartridge nozzle construction hav ing an axially aligned, resealable nozzle tip which is severable from the nozzle body, the nozzle tip incorporating an annular, inwardly projecting ring which seats upon an annularly outwardly projecting ring which is molded in the nozzle body for sealing purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, calking cartridge nozzle wherein in a second embodiment, a resealable nozzle tip is provided having inwardly projecting fingers and the nozzle body is molded to provide an integral, annular, outwardly projecting ring, the said fingers being of sufficient size and flexibility to seat below and grip the ring when the nozzle tip is severed and applied to the nozzle body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel calking cartridge nozzle including nozzle body and a severable nozzle tip, the nozzle tip having an inwardly projecting, annular ring and the nozzle body having an annular groove, the inwardly projecting ring seating within the groove to associate the nozzle tip with the nozzle body for calking cartridge sealing purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, easily molded, reclosable calking cartridge nozzle including integral, compact, nozzle sealing means suitable to reseal the calking cartridge once the tip has been severed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, reclosable, calking cartridge nozzle that is inexpensive in manufacture, simple in construction and trouble free when in use.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof,

taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, partially broken away to expose details of interior construction.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 showing the closure severed from the nozzle tip.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the parts of FIG. 2 in assembled relation.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along Line 4--4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a first modified calking cartridge nozzle, partially broken away to expose details of interior construction.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the parts of FIG. 5 in severed and reassembled relation.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along Line 77 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a second modified form of the invention partially broken away to expose details of interior construction.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing the parts of FIG. 8 in severed and reassembled relationship.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along Line 10-I0 of FIG. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view looking along Line 11-]! of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a third modified form of the invention, partially broken away to expose details of interior construction.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the modification of FIG. 12, showing the parts in severed and reassembled relationship.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along Line I4-l4 of FIG. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a fourth modified form of the invention, partially broken away to expose interior construction details.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the modified nozzle of FIG. 15 showing the parts in severed and reassembled relationship.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along Lone 17-17 of FIG. 16, looking in the direction of the ar rows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of our invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, we show in FIGS. 1-4 a calking cartridge nozzle 10 of generally elongate, hollow configuration which is conventionally attached to the head 12 of a calking cartridge 14. The nozzle upwardly carries a severable tip 16 which joins the nozzle body 18 in a relatively narrow, solid neck 20. The nozzle body 18 is fabricated to a hollow, generally elongated, conical configuration to provide an interior channel 22 through which the calk material (not shown) flows when the calking cartridge is used for calk application purposes. The nozzle tip 16 is also fabricated to a hollow interior construction 24 of configuration to tightly overfit and seal against the exterior periphery 26 of the nozzle body 18 for nozzle sealing purposes after the cartridge has been partially used.

If desired, a plurality of annularly oriented cut guide lines 28 may be molded into the plastic material at the top of the nozzle body 18 to serve as guides when severing the nozzle tip 16 for calk application purposes. It will be noted that the severable tip 16 closely overfits and seals against the top of the nozzle body 18 after the nozzle 10 has been severed below the neck 20 along one of the cut lines 28. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the severed tip 16 is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees, the open end 30 of the nozzle tip 16 can then be applied over the top 32 of the nozzle and pressed thereon to tightly secure upon the nozzle in a press fit for sealing purposes. The solid neck 20 is then positioned upwardly and forms the closure for the nozzle body 18. When it is desired to again use the calking cartridge 14, the previously severed tip 16 is simply removed from its association with the nozzle body 18 by pulling axially upwardly.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, I show a first modified calking cartridge nozzle 10' which is constructed generally similarly to the calking cartridge nozzle 10. A solid neck 20' is provided intermediate the nozzle body 18' and the severable tip 16' for separation along one of the previously molded cut guide lines 28'.

The nozzle body 18' is provided with a peripheral, annular, radially outwardly projecting ring 34 which is positioned below the cut guide line 28' to thereby remain a permanent portion of the nozzle body 18' after the tip 16 is removed by severing along a cut guide line 28'. The severable tip 16' is provided with a cooperating, inwardly projecting, peripheral ring 36 which projects inwardly into the hollow interior 24' of the tip 16'. Both the projecting ring 3d and the peripheral ring 36 are oriented in planes which position at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body 18'. As best observed in FIG. 7, when the tip 16' is severed along a cut guide line 28' and has its open end 30' applied over the top 32' of the nozzle body 18', the peripheral ring 36 of the top 16' fits downwardly over the peripheral ring 34 of the nozzle body 18 in a relatively tight fit and seals beneath the ring 36. The natural resiliency of the polyethylene material of the nozzle permits sufficient flexibility and resiliency to allow the peripheral rings 36, 34 to slip past each other as the tip 16' is applied over the nozzle body 18' to overfit and seal as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In a second modified nozzle construction 10" as illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, the nozzle body 18 is provided with a peripheral ring 34 which projects outwardly from the nozzle body 18" in the same manner as the peripheral ring 34 (FIG. 5). The severable tip 16" is defined from the nozzle body 18" by a solid, narrow neck and is separable from the nozzle body 18 by severing along a cut guide line 28" in the manner previously described. The severable tip 16 is inwardly provided with a plurality of radially inwardly projecting pins 38 which are peripherally positioned and project inwardly into the hollow interior channel 24" below the open end of the nozzle tip 16". As best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, after the nozzle tip 16 is severed and rotated through 180, the open end 30" of the tip 16" is applied over the severed and open nozzle top 32 in a manner to seal the open end of the severed nozzle body 18". The natural resiliency of the polyethylene plastic material permits sufficient flexibility to allow the spaced pins 38 to overfit and be pushed downwardly below the peripheral ring 34". The natural memory of the material returns the pins 38 to their original condition after being pushed passed the ring 34" to thereby serve to retain the severed nozzle tip 16" in sealing association with the nozzle body 18".

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, we show a third modified calking cartridge nozzle instruction 10" of generally similar fabrication which includes a severable tip 16" which is defined from the nozzle body 13" by a narrow solid neck 20". The nozzle tip 16" is severable from the nozzle body 18" by cutting along one of the cut guide lines 28" in the usual manner to permit the solid neck 20" to be associated with the nozzle tip 16" for nozzle body 18" sealing purposes. The top portion 32" of the nozzle body 18" is provided with an annular, inwardly projecting, peripheral groove which is employed for nozzle sealing purposes. The hollow interior channel 24" of the severable tip 16" is provided with an inwardly, projecting annular ring 36" which is provided near the open end 30" in a manner similar to the peripheral ring 36 as shown in FIG. 5. The annular ring 36" and the peripheral groove 40 are formed respectively in planes which are positioned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body 18". As best observed in FIG. 14, the pe ripheral groove 40 receives the peripheral ring 36" of the nozzle tip 16" in sealing engagement. Thus, when the severable tip 16" is removed from its association with the nozzle body 18" by cutting along one of the cut lines 28" and rotated through 180, the open end 30" overfits the top 32" of the nozzle body 18" and is pushed downwardly until the peripheral ring 36" seats within the annular, peripheral groove 40 to thereby retain the nozzle tip 16" in association with the nozzle body 18 in a sealing engagement.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, we show in FIGS. 15-17 a fourth modified calking cartridge nozzle 10" including a nozzle body 18"" and a severable tip 16" which are joined by a solid, narrow neck 20". The nozzle body 18 is provided with an annular, inwardly extending, peripheral groove 40" which is positioned and constructed similarly to the groove 40 as shown in FIG. 12. A plurality of inwardly projecting pins 38"" peripherally position about the hollow interior 24"" of the several tip 16" near the open 30"" in a manner similar to the construction illustrated in FIG. 8. By severing the tip 16"" from the nozzle body 18"" along a cut guide line 28" .and rotating the severable tip through relative to the nozzle body, the nozzle can be readily rescaled by pressing the tip 16"" downwardly until the plurality of pins 38" seat within the annular groove 40" See FIG. 17.

In order to use the device of the present invention, a calking cartridge nozzle 10, 10', 10', 10" or 10"" is first molded or otherwise formed of resilient material such as polyethylene plastic having the general configuration of a hollow nozzle body which is defined from a severable tip by a narrow, solid neck portion. The nozzle is then severed along a cut guide line 28, 28', 28", 28" or 28"" to expose the interior channel 22, 22, 22", 22", 22"" of the nozzle body. The tip 16, 16, 16", 16, 16" is severed with the respective solid neck portion 20, 20, 20", 20", 20''" attached which then serves as a closure for the nozzle body when the tip is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees and reapplied to the nozzle body. The seal between the tip and the nozzle body may be a press fit as in FIGS. 1-4. Optionally, cooperating peripheral rings 34, 36 may be provided as in FIGS. 5-7; a peripheral ring 34" and cooperating pins 38 as in FIGS. 8-11; cooperating peripheral groove 40 and peripheral ring 36" as in FIGS. 12-14; or a peripheral groove 40 and projecting pins 24"" as in FIGS. 15-17 may be employed to retain the severed tip in sealing engagement over the top of the nozzle. All of the constructions herein described may be readily formed by using existing nozzle manufacturing equipment and are specifically designed to be compatible therewith.

Although we have described the present invention with reference to the particular embodiments therein set forth, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing specification, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. In a calking cartridge nozzle of generally elongate, hollow configuration which has a longitudinal axis and which is attached at one end thereof to a calking cartridge, the combination of A. a nozzle body of generally elongated configuration and having an outer periphery,

I. said nozzle body defining a hollow interior channel,

2. said nozzle body terminating; upwardly in a severable end,

3. nozzle body being provided with an annular, pe-

ripheral, outwardly projecting ring,

B. a solid neck integrally extending from the severable end,

1. said solid neck upwardly closing the interior channel; and

C. a severable tip integrally extending from the solid neck,

1. said tip being fabricated of generally elongated conical configuration,

2. said tip having an outer periphery defining an interior construction,

3. said interior construction being formed of a size and shape to tightly overfit the periphery of the nozzle body when the tip is severed from the body at the severable end,

4. said tip being severed from the nozzle body to expose the interior channel,

5. the solid neck reclosing the interior channel after the tip is severed, rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees and reapplied over the nozzle body,

a. the severable tip contacting the outwardly projecting ring for cartridge nozzle sealing purposes when the severed and rotated tip is reapplied over the nozzle body.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the severable tip is provided with a radially inwardly projecting, peripheral ring which cooperates with and seals against the outwardly projecting ring.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the severable tip 8 is provided with an inwardly projecting pin, said pin projecting into the said interior construction, said pin seating upon the outwardly projecting ring to maintain the tip in association with the nozzle body.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the nozzle body is provided with an annular, peripheral, inwardly projecting groove and wherein the severable tip is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees and contacts the groove for cartridge nozzle sealing purposes.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the severable tip is provided with a radially inwardly projecting peripheral groove which cooperates with and seals within the peripheral groove.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the severable tip is provided with an inwardly projecting pin, said pin projecting into the said interior construction, said pin seating within the peripheral groove to maintain the tip in association with the nozzle body.

7. The invention of claim 2 wherein the nozzle body and the severable tip symmetrically position about the longitudinal axis both before the tip is severed and after the tip is reapplied to the nozzle body.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the outwardly projecting ring and the inwardly projecting ring are formed in spaced planes, said planes being oriented at right angles to the said longitudinal axis.

9. The invention of claim 3 wherein a plurality of similar inwardly projecting pins are formed to project into the interior construction, said pins being equidistantly spaced about the periphery of the interior construction. 

1. In a calking cartridge nozzle of generally elongate, hollow configuration which has a longitudinal axis and which is attached at one end thereof to a calking cartridge, the combination of A. a nozzle body of generally elongated configuration and having an outer periphery,
 1. said nozzle body defining a hollow interior channel,
 2. said nozzle body terminating upwardly in a severable end,
 3. nozzle body being provided with an annular, peripheral, outwardly projecting ring, B. a solid neck integrally extending from the severable end,
 1. said solid neck upwardly closing the interior channel; and C. a severable tip integrally extending from the solid neck,
 1. said tip being fabricated of generally elongated conical configuration,
 2. said tip having an outer periphery defining an interior construction,
 3. said interior construction being formed of a size and shape to tightly overfit the periphery of the nozzle body when the tip is severed from the body at the severable end,
 4. said tip being severed from the nozzle body to expose the interior channel,
 5. the solid neck reclosing the interior channel after the tip is severed, rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees and reapplied over the nozzle body, a. the severable tip contacting the outwardly projecting ring for cartridge nozzle sealing purposes when the severed and rotated tip is reapplied over the nozzle body.
 2. said nozzle body terminating upwardly in a severable end,
 2. said tip having an outer periphery defining an interior construction,
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the severable tip is provided with a radially inwardly projecting, peripheral ring which cooperates with and seals against the outwardly projecting ring.
 3. nozzle body being provided with an annular, peripheral, outwardly projecting ring, B. a solid neck integrally extending from the severable end,
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the severable tip is provided with an inwardly projecting pin, saId pin projecting into the said interior construction, said pin seating upon the outwardly projecting ring to maintain the tip in association with the nozzle body.
 3. said interior construction being formed of a size and shape to tightly overfit the periphery of the nozzle body when the tip is severed from the body at the severable end,
 4. said tip being severed from the nozzle body to expose the interior channel,
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the nozzle body is provided with an annular, peripheral, inwardly projecting groove and wherein the severable tip is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees and contacts the groove for cartridge nozzle sealing purposes.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the severable tip is provided with a radially inwardly projecting peripheral groove which cooperates with and seals within the peripheral groove.
 5. the solid neck reclosing the interior channel after the tip is severed, rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees and reapplied over the nozzle body, a. the severable tip contacting the outwardly projecting ring for cartridge nozzle sealing purposes when the severed and rotated tip is reapplied over the nozzle body.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the severable tip is provided with an inwardly projecting pin, said pin projecting into the said interior construction, said pin seating within the peripheral groove to maintain the tip in association with the nozzle body.
 7. The invention of claim 2 wherein the nozzle body and the severable tip symmetrically position about the longitudinal axis both before the tip is severed and after the tip is reapplied to the nozzle body.
 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the outwardly projecting ring and the inwardly projecting ring are formed in spaced planes, said planes being oriented at right angles to the said longitudinal axis.
 9. The invention of claim 3 wherein a plurality of similar inwardly projecting pins are formed to project into the interior construction, said pins being equidistantly spaced about the periphery of the interior construction. 